First-time voters get an extra thrill at the polls

Updated 1:05 pm, Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

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Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students Rachel Newsom 2nd from right and Rebecca Milton 3rd from right, at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) less

Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students Rachel Newsom 2nd from right and Rebecca Milton 3rd from right, at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center ... more

Lamer High School students Rachel Newsom left, and Rebecca Altman wait in line at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center where the students will cast their votes Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Lamer High School students Rachel Newsom left, and Rebecca Altman wait in line at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center where the students will cast their votes Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston. (

Lamer High School Communication Director Ann Southwell left, along with students Rachel Newsom, Rebecca Altman, Rebecca Milton and Lamar Principal Dr. James McSwain arrive at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center where the students will cast their votes Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) less

Lamer High School Communication Director Ann Southwell left, along with students Rachel Newsom, Rebecca Altman, Rebecca Milton and Lamar Principal Dr. James McSwain arrive at the Houston Metropolitan ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

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Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

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Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

Image 7 of 8

Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Lamer High School student Rebecca Altman right, checks in to vote along with fellow students at the Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Though she's been an American citizen since 2000, she is going to vote for the first time today, Election Day.

"This year, I am interested," the Malaysian native said. "This year, I will vote for someone who will take care of us. In my heart, I am so happy and excited."

Lai, who was involved in a near fatal bus accident when she was 18, has only prosthetics for arms. Not to worry, she says. She feels sure she can manage the voting machine, just as she manages everything else in her life. If not, she says, she will ask for assistance.

Tears start to roll down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry that I'm so emotional," she says. "But I want to put how I feel into a vote for our president."

For new citizens, their pristine voter registration card is validation, proof they're ready and able to participate in democracy.

For young adults, the card equals maturity, yet another sign they've come of age.

Milton, 18, seemed every bit as mature and qualified as the other voters. The only difference was the look of wonderment on her unlined face.

She planned to vote for President Barack Obama and for the Houston school bonds. Amazing, she said, to attend public school and finally be allowed to vote on the system she knew so well.

School chum Rachel Newsom, part of the Lamar group that voted early at the multi-service center, voted for GOP candidate Mitt Romney.

"It was a hard decision because I consider myself a liberal," Newsom said. "But I think Romney will do a better job."

Newsom says she studied both candidates and tried to look at the big picture. And, she was proud to participate in the democratic process.

"I feel like I had power and say in my community."

Across town, several hundred high school seniors attended a get-out-the-vote rally at Ripley House Neighborhood Center. As half a dozen politicians spoke, Oswaldo Medina, 18, said he knew exactly what he was going to do when he got his turn to vote.

"President Obama is the only one who has tried to solve the immigration problems," the Chavez High School senior said somberly. "I have a cousin who was recently sent home, and I don't want that to happen to anyone else."

"He has a businessman's experience, and he will help balance the budget," Baldwin said.

Most of Baldwin's friends wanted him to vote for Obama. Baldwin said he is old enough and responsible enough not to be swayed by peer pressure.

Scarborough senior Deidra Austin also welcomed the chance to do her civic duty, and she will vote for Obama.

"I've heard a lot of people saying it doesn't matter who wins," the 19-year-old said. "I don't agree."

Irma Ramirez, 54, also attended the rally for new voters, and afterward, as her husband Domingo photographed her every step, she stood in line to vote.

While Ramirez waited, she explained how proud she was to be a new citizen, and how hard and how long she had studied for her citizenship test. The night before, she took a review tape to bed with her and listened all night long.

Ramirez, a housekeeper, is petite. Having the right to vote, she said, made her feel big.

When it was finally Ramirez' turn to cast her ballot, however, she was turned away. She became a new citizen Oct. 17. The deadline to register for the presidential election was Oct. 9.

First, she felt disappointment, then resignation. She jumped through so many bureaucratic hoops to become a citizen, she said, this was just one more.

Ramirez is not sure when the next election is. But she plans to be first in line.